Aircel-Maxis deal: Special CBI court to pronounce order against Maran brothers on 2 February

A special CBI court will pronounce its order on 2 February on framing charges against former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and others in two cases relating to the Aircel-Maxis deal, lodged by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Special Judge O P Saini, who was scheduled to pass the order today on framing of charge as well as on the bail applications of the Maran brothers and other accused persons, deferred it to 2 February saying the order is not ready yet and he will pass this order finally on 2 February.

This is the fifth time that the order is being deferred.

The CBI Court had earlier on 19 December last year deferred pronouncing its orders against the Maran brothers and others to 22 December.

A special 2G court had earlier on 17 September last year dismissed the applications filed by the ex-telecom minister and his brother, challenging its jurisdiction to try the Aircel-Maxis deal case in which they have been summoned as accused.

Pronouncing the order, the court had then said, "There is no manner of doubt that by the standard of subject matter and periodicity of alleged crime, the case fairly/squarely falls within the description/ designation of the 2G scam." During the hearing, the Marans submitted before the court that the Aircel-Maxis dispute was a private matter and not part of the alleged 2G spectrum scam, adding, therefore, the court designated to deal exclusively with the 2G spectrum scam should not hear the matter.

The Maran brothers challenged the jurisdiction of the special 2G court in both cases lodged by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI.